New Delhi: The Indian cricket team, after registering a thumping 4-1 series win against Australia, in their home series, will now be locking horns against the South African cricket team in a three-match T20I series, in an away series starting from Sunday, December 10.
Indian cricket team, who were left heartbroken after losing the ICC World Cup 2023 finals against the Aussies on November 19, after dominating throughout the tournament, found some comfort after beating the same team in the T20I series right after.
The men in blue will now be looking to continue their winning momentum against the Proteas in their home ground and use it as an inspiration for the ICC T20I World Cup, next year.
Smiles ☺️
Cheers 👏
Banter 😉How about that for a #SAvIND T20I series Trophy Unveiling! 🏆 👌#TeamIndia | @surya_14kumar pic.twitter.com/fxlVjIgT3U
— BCCI (@BCCI) December 10, 2023
However, the challenge is not going to be easy, given the difference in playing conditions between South Africa and India.
Hopes on batsmen
The biggest hope for the men in blue in the series against the South African cricket team, will be there in form batsmen from the Aussie series.
In the opening, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Yashasvi Jaiswal are giving India attacking starts, while in the middle order, Ishan Kishan and Surya Kumar Yadav are taking charge.
Rocket Raja Plays Cricket Today 🚀💥#RuturajGaikwad #Cricket #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/3VTGMZxPLP
— Shakthi Das (@Shakthi82463806) December 10, 2023
The return of Ravindra Jadeja will improve the quality of the lower middle order, giving India a good chance from a batting perspective in the series.
On the other hand, Proteas, who will be taking the field without the likes of Quinton de Kock and Rassie van der Dussan, will have to make the most of their remaining resources to tackle the Indian bowlers.
Eyes on bowlers
The bowling unit of both sides will be under pressure as they are fielding a rather less experienced unit in the series.
India will have an added advantage of Ravindra Jadeja, who can be economical and also play the role of the wicket-taker, given how the pitch behaves to the spinners.
India will also have the newly crowned number 1 ICC-ranked T20I bowler Ravi Bishnoi on their side, which will give the Indian bowling unit a much-needed moral boost.
How does it feel to become the ICC Men’s No. 1️⃣ T20I Bowler 🤔
Hear what #TeamIndia leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi said 👇#SAvIND pic.twitter.com/Szg1BYfFeD
— BCCI (@BCCI) December 8, 2023
On the other hand, South Africa will be playing without the pace frontiers of Lungi Ngidi, Kagiso Rabada, and Anrich Nortje.
The young rising star Gerald Coetzee will be the lead bowler alongside Tabraiz Shamsi and Keshav Maharaj, whose experience can help the youngster a lot.
Gerald Coetzee got the wicket of Marcus Stoinis
#AUSvsSA #SAvAUS #AusvSA #SAvsAUS #TembaBavuma #JawanReview #JawanReviews #JawanDay pic.twitter.com/V9kqaGymVt— 𝑮𝒂𝒖𝒓𝒂𝒗 𝑹𝒂𝒊 (@IacGaurav) September 7, 2023
The series is going to be like an audition for the ICC T20I World Cup 2024, as both the teams will be playing a limited number of T20I matches between this series and the World Cup next year.
